Was the busty blonde necessary?
Posted by Ellee on Jan 30, 2007 in updates | 13 commentsThought that might grab your attention!
A new era in punchy political campaigning was launched today by 18 Doughty Street with its first online video political attack against the 
government’s record on tax.
Do play the 90 sec recording and let me know what you think. I liked the clever use of the TAX swipe card to get its message across in a humorous way.
This is the first of 18 Doughty Street’s weekly political adverts which has had a great plug in today’s Times, next week’s campaign is against extra state funding of political parties. It almost feels like the start of an election campaign.
Tim Montgomerie, a director of 18 Doughty Street, believes it has never been easier or cheaper to challenge the established view:
“American political entrepreneurs have used blogs, YouTube and clever use of search engines to unseat powerful television anchors and presidential wannabes. This week 18DoughtyStreet.com brings some of the better American techniques to Britain and will soon be producing a weekly series of political attack adverts designed by bloggers and debated on a daily internet TV programme.”
And if you can, please take a moment to answer this questionnaire about the video. What do you think, is this form of communication a good idea, will it help engage with the electorate?
It was made in conjunction with The TaxPayerss Alliance.
Absolutely she was necessary – it’s the answer to the question – what are they going to tax next!
I watched the ad, and thought it was amusing and a novel way to get the point across. The same message would have worked just as well without the busty blonde at the end. Perhaps it would improve some illustrations of where money could be saved were shown, now that’s what we want to see!
Thousands of civil servants, hundreds of consultants, computer and IT systems that don’t work, inefficiency in ministries on the grandest of scales, we KNOW the savings can be made!
I agree with Ian Grey. I was not sure who the ad was attacking or what the alternatives on offer are (from the ad, I have my own ideas). As for some of the examples in the ad – we are already massively taxed for filling up our cars with petrol, and some petrol stations take swipe cards at the pump… so what was the parody?
Perhaps 18DS should be campaigning for more transparency in taxation (i.e. rename petrol stations “tax collection points” – or, more realistically, have the amount of tax given on the fuel reciept) so that people become more aware of the taxes they have to pay.
I am blonde but not busty…..liked the ad and the ending made me laugh so maybe the blonde was a good idea.
Liked the ad and it was well produced. I am a busty blond so I think it was just fine to use one here!
I am with Jim.. I would be happy to pay more tax here to have:-
1. better health
2. better education.
3. better roads/rail/ public transport
4. better science research into other forms of power eg hydrogen instead of fossil fuels
however a blond with…..
Things we could stop paying tax money on, for starters…
The DTI
Government IT projects
Complex costs of complex tax collction
All those Consultants across all of the ministries
EUrope
I thought the advert was good but the big voice at the end was a little weak.
I really couldn’t say, Ellee. I can’t get Doughty and the tech departmment won’t respond.
Actually Jim, I’m not sure if he got his face slapped from the sound!
P.S. Sorry, to get to your point Ellee, I thought the blonde was fine. Pity it didn’t hang on in there long enough to see him swipe his card
What perplexes me about complaints about tax (by any party) is: What services would you like to have cut in order to reduce the tax burden? Health? Education? Transport? Prison Service? Immigration control? It seems to be a perpetual paradox that we clamour for more to be spent on services, but don’t want to pay the tax. And I don’t think the current Opposition had a much better record at handling the exchequer: just mention Norman Lamont – Black Wednesday – twenty seven billion pounds…
Persuade me I’m wrong someone (I have no political allegiance, you can’t offend me!)
I dare cannot a Vid as I am at work but you can assume I am for “Busty Blondes”
I have always preferred them dark and feisty myself. Do you know anyone who fits that description Ms. Seymour ?
Elee , you are a bit of media politics crossover person. Do you think there will come atime when the relative cheapness of communication will dismantle the established frameworks , thus far it is an add on. We have a company and we thoght , oh christ we`ll have to have a Web site..god knows why.
What affect will it have as it develops though. I saw Guido all over the DT this AM , thats a sign of the times
The busty blonde got my attention!